Getting Around with Blackpool Transport

Latest news from Blackpool Transport. Bus and tram timetable changes for winter, live bus tracking feature on the latest app update, and more.

Blackpool Transport Trams Win Team of the Year Award

Blackpool Transports Tram Engineering team have been named as joint winners of the Team of the Year award at the recent Global Light Rail Awards. The award, which was presented at the Global Light Rail Awards in London on Wednesday 3 October, celebrates and rewards the most outstanding contributors to the Global Light Rail industry. The Team of the Year award recognises the collective efforts of those who have gone above and beyond to deliver excellence.

Blackpool Transport wins Team of the Year

The efforts of the Engineering Team along with everyone else involved at Blackpool Transport haven’t gone unnoticed in recent times, with Blackpool Trams receiving a 97% customer satisfaction rating in the 2017 Transport Focus survey. Top ratings on TripAdvisor and a string of recent award wins also emphasises the dedication of the team behind the world famous Tramway.

Managing Director Jane Cole said “Our Engineering Team have risen to the challenge over the last 12 months and for that I couldn’t be prouder. Our customers are receiving a world class experience when they travel on our tramway and that wouldn’t be possible without our Engineers and all of the teams involved.”

Blackpool Transport shared the award with London Trams. Chris Higham, Blackpool Transports very own Tram Technician was also Highly Commended in the Rising Star category at the recent awards ceremony and is one of four apprentices embarking on a career at Blackpool Transport.

Live Updates from Blackpool Transport

Do you use the Blackpool Transport app? It’s a great way to plan your journey and buy tickets.

At the end of July 2018 it was updated to include live updates. With the latest app update you can see where your bus is… anywhere along the network! Head into the ‘explore menu’ to check where on its route your service is at that moment in time.

Live tracker on the Blackpool Transport app

Now, you can check live service updates and planned disruptions all in one easy section (called Service Updates). See anything which might disrupt the Blackpool Transport network when you want to travel. Have a look at the mobile app to check it out.

The delivery of these 18 vehicles brings the total new buses brought into the fleet since 2015 to 73. They’re made by British manufacturer Alexander Dennis, and are a single deck version of their fellow Enviro 400’s which Blackpool Transport currently have in their fleet.

Jane Cole, Managing Director at Blackpool Transport said, “Our partnership with Alexander Dennis has gone from strength to strength since 2016. We have received 55 double deck vehicles so far, all delivered to an excellent standard and spent time with ADL and our customers to get the single deck versions spot on for our customers.

“This year our launch events focused on meeting customers along routes 3 and 4 to show them our commitment to bringing modern buses to Blackpool and the Fylde. We went out to talk to residents at either end of these two routes and showcase the new vehicles dedicated to that area.”

Trams from Blackpool Transport are UK’s Number 1 for Customer Satisfaction

With a customer satisfaction rating of 97%, Blackpool Transport (the operator of Blackpool’s world famous trams) have outperformed other tram, bus and train operators from across the country an independent national survey. They scored a full 6 points above the tram industry average.

The results were recently revealed by the nationally respected Transport Focus organisation which surveys thousands of passengers across multiple forms of public transport modes throughout the UK. The survey took place in Autumn 2017.

Jane Cole, Managing Director at Blackpool Transport said “This fantastic result is testament to the efforts of our employee’s day in, day out. Throughout 2017 we worked closely with our Managers and Training teams to ensure our conductors are fully equipped with the confidence and skills to deliver an outstanding experience for our customers.

Not just a service, it’s an experience

Residents and visitors to our town expect an experience, not just a service and that’s what we are delivering. Our customer service training goes beyond the basics and includes both visible and hidden disability awareness training so that our teams can meet the needs of each and every one of our customers.”

Blackpool Transport also excelled in other areas of the tram passenger survey with customers reporting an 88% satisfaction rating with ‘value for money’, 20% ahead of the industry average along with a 91% satisfaction for punctuality of the trams.

Getting around with Blackpool Transport

Getting around Blackpool and the Fylde Coast couldn’t be easier with buses and trams operated by Blackpool Transport.

They’re for local people and tourists, all year round. Our great transport network will ensure you get to enjoy everything which Blackpool and the surrounding areas have to offer.

Our network is a cost-effective way of travelling around the Fylde Coast area.

Easy to follow timetables make your journey easy and pleasurable.

Timetables and Travel Centres

Individual timetables guides to all our services and network maps are available from our Travel Centres.

Find them at Market Street, Blackpool Town Centre and our main offices at Rigby Road.

Concessions: Pass holders of the English Concessionary Travel scheme can travel free on our network of buses between 0930 – 2300 Monday to Fridays and at anytime on Saturdays and Sunday or Bank Holidays.

Blackpool Tram Information

The tramway runs along the Fylde Coast from Starr Gate at the southern boundary of Blackpool, along the full length of Blackpool seafront, through Cleveleys to Fleetwood.

Concessions: From the 1st April 2014 only holders of the Blackpool Concessionary Travel Scheme passes can travel free of charge between 0930 and 2300 Mondays to Fridays and at anytime on Saturdays, Sundays or Bank Holidays on Tramcar services in Blackpool and Wyre (Cleveleys and Fleetwood)

You can find all the information about where the tram stops are, timetables and pricing for Blackpool trams here

Travelling About a Bit?

Whether you’re visiting the Fylde Coast this summer, or you live here and want to ditch the car, the whole family can spend a day travelling around from place to place, visiting all the attractions without worrying about parking (or paying for it!), with a Blackpool Transport Saver Ticket.

Easy, convenient and cheaper than purchasing single fares. Unlimited travel on any Blackpool Transport bus or tram (excluding Heritage Tours) for one great price.

Purchase 24 hour, 3 Day or 7 Day tickets from the driver or conductor when you board. Monthly tickets are also available.

Like to be prepared? All tickets apart from 24 hour and dog tickets can be purchased in advance at our Customer Centre on Market Street, from reception at Rigby Road, from many PayPoint outlets or via our website.

Adult, Children, Young Person and Family tickets are available

Jobs at Blackpool Transport

It isn’t just about driving at Blackpool Transport. Our Conductors, Tram Drivers, Engineers, Cleaners and Admin staff all play a key part too.

Blackpool Transport Safe Haven for people living with dementia

Blackpool Transport opened its Safe Haven at Market Street in December 2017.

This means that if any of our staff sees a passenger on their bus or someone at a bus stop who they think may be confused, they will bring them to the Safe Haven at our Customer Centre on Market Street.

They will then be looked after by our dementia-friendly staff who have all had training from Tracey, Blackpool Transport’s Dementia Friends Champion.

The staff will contact a relative, carer or care home, or the police as a last resort. We have lots of things to look at and do to keep the lady/gent occupied until they are picked up, and they can also have a biscuit and a drink.

We are hoping that we can help people at a time when they are frightened and confused without making a fuss.

Cheapest Way to Buy Travel Tickets is via the App

The Blackpool Transport app was launched in Spring 2017 to make bus and tram travel even easier for existing customers and for those people who don’t use the bus very often, if at all.

Jane Cole, Managing Director at Blackpool Transport said “Unfortunately due to inflation, increased operating costs and an increase of up to 15% in fuel costs, it has been necessary for us to implement an increase in some of our fares.

“These increases have been kept to an absolute minimum and where we have been able to hold the price of fares we have done so.”

The app lets customers purchase a range of saver tickets in advance via their smartphone. Once a customer has bought the ticket of their choice they simply activate the ticket just before boarding any Blackpool Transport bus or tram.

The app also allows customers to plan their journey, find the best route and even has a disruptions page to let you know if your journey may be affected by roadworks or diversions.

Blackpool Transport Launch New Buses

25 brand new double-decker buses officially entered service in April 2017.

Developed to a unique specification to offer the very best features for customers, the addition of these vehicles fulfils Managing Director Jane Cole’s vision to further bolster the fleet year on year to ensure that no bus in Blackpool is older than 5 years by 2020.

Finished in the instantly recognisable ‘Palladium’ brand, the buses offer free WiFi, USB charging points, social seating on the upper deck and next stop audio/visual announcements amongst other features.

Improved seating on the upper saloon means that families, children and adults alike can make better use of their travel time with seats grouped around 3 tables.

The buses have been allocated to some of Blackpool Transport’s most popular routes, with Service 6, 11 & 14 all benefiting from these high specification vehicles.

Jane Cole, Managing Director at Blackpool Transport said “We have been delighted with the fantastic feedback received from locals and visitors alike on the 10 buses introduced this year. We are particularly proud of having responded to the needs of our disabled passengers who appreciate the low floor entry, wide access gangway and spacious wheelchair areas. Delivering an exceptional customer experience is our primary focus and these 25 new vehicles will continue to allow us to do so.

130 Glorious Years!

Did you know that the Blackpool & Fleetwood tramway has been operating for more than 130 years? It celebrated the 130th anniversary in 2015 – and is on the way to the next big milestone!

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Blackpool has the oldest electric street tramway in the world with records dating back to 1884 when track plans were produced for an electric tramway that would connect North and South Shore. Blackpool Corporation paid for and maintained the infrastructure, whilst the Blackpool Electric Tramway Company, formed in January 1885 provided the electrical equipment, depot and tramcars. The tramway opened on the 29th September 1885. After the second world war, there was gradual consolidation and by 1962, the trams were confined to the 11 mile route from Starr Gate to Fleetwood which still operates today. The bus services expanded along with the town throughout the sixties, seventies and eighties. Since bus deregulation in 1986, the trams and buses have been operated by Blackpool Transport Services Ltd, a Blackpool Council Company. While the trams themselves are owned and run by Blackpool Transport, the tramway infrastructure is currently owned by Blackpool Council and leased to the Company, which pays an annual track rental fee for the privilege. The bus services suffered from local competition throughout the 1980s and early 90s, culminating in the purchase by Blackpool Transport of the former Lytham St Annes corporation services, which by 1993 were running as Blue Buses. The Blue Buses depot at Squires Gate was kept for several years until all operations were consolidated on one site at Rigby Road

On 27 January we will be introducing some small changes to our services 2C and 7. These improvements come as a direct result of feedback from our customers, teams and reviews on the services. You can find full information on the changes here - ow.ly/CAAC30nj5qY

On 27 January we will be introducing some small changes to our services 2C and 7. These improvements come as a direct result of feedback from our customers, teams and reviews on the services. You can find full information on the changes here - http://ow.ly/CAAC30nj5qY

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